Meanwhile, Jack and Sancho had finished their work for the day and were strolling toward the store, enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling town. The warm sun beat down on their backs, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread from the nearby bakery.

Suddenly, Sancho's attention was captured by a stunning girl walking toward them. Her long, flowing hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her bright blue eyes sparkled like diamonds. "Jack, look at her, she's gorgeous," Sancho whispered, nudging his friend.

Jack chuckled, admiring the girl's beauty. "She's beautiful, but not as beautiful as Christina," he replied, his eyes twinkling with love.

As the girl passed by, Sancho couldn't resist and decided to follow her, his heart racing with excitement. "Jack, continue to the store. I will catch up with the girl," he said.

"Okay, good luck," Jack replied.

Jack continued on his way toward the store, while Sancho ran after the girl. Suddenly, Sancho noticed something fall out of her pocket without her noticing. The small black stone glistened in the sunlight, and Sancho's curiosity got the better of him. He ran toward it, picked it up, and felt the smooth texture of the stone against his skin. "What is this?" he muttered to himself. "Why would someone as beautiful as her carry something like this?"

With his heart racing, Sancho rushed after the girl, his senses heightened by the thrill of the chase. He turned left and right at the end of the road, searching for her, but she had disappeared like a whisper in the wind. Determined to find her, he scoured the shops in the area and asked anyone he could find, but the search was in vain. Sancho shook his head and let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of disappointment in his chest. "It's okay," he said to himself. "I'll find that girl someday. Our village is not big."

Meanwhile, Jack arrived at the store's neighborhood, where vibrant storefronts and lively chatter of the locals filled his senses. Spotting Christina from afar, he waved at her and walked up to her with a smile. "Christina, honey, how are you?" he called out, his voice soothing to her ears.

"Jack! I'm glad to see you, but what brings you here?" Christina replied, warmth in her smile lighting up her face.

Jack pulled up a chair inside the store and sat down, taking in the scent of freshly fruits. "Sancho and I finished work early, so I decided to come and visit you in the store so we can go to the beach together. You know, today is our appointment," he explained, the excitement evident in his voice.

"That's good. I'll close the store shortly, and then we'll go together," Christina replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Jack sat nervously inside the quaint little store, his fingers tapping on the wooden table. He couldn't help but ponder over how he would tell Christina about the decision he had made. He could feel the weight of the ring box in his pocket, pressing against his thigh. With every passing moment, his heart raced faster, and he felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He wondered how Christina would react to the news, as he tried to picture her face in his mind.

As they walked toward the beach, the sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, casting hues of fiery orange and rosy pink across the sky. The warm breeze blew gently, bringing with it the salty smell of the sea. The sand felt soft and warm under their bare feet, as they made their way toward a secluded spot. Jack's heart was beating so fast he thought it might leap out of his chest. He couldn't wait to ask Christina the question that had been on his mind for so long.

"Close your eyes, Christina," Jack said, his voice tinged with excitement.

Christina giggled as she closed her eyes, intrigued by what Jack had planned for her. She could feel the soft sand between her toes, and the warm breeze on her skin. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore created a symphony of tranquility.

As he knelt on one knee, Jack pulled out the ring box, and the sun's last rays caught the sparkle of the diamond. Suddenly, he noticed another ring on Christina's finger that he hadn't seen before. His heart sank a little, but he decided to push forward.

"Christina, open your eyes," Jack said, his voice trembling with anticipation.

Christina opened her eyes and gasped at the sight before her. The sky was awash with vibrant colors, and the ocean sparkled like a sea of diamonds. In the midst of this stunning scene, Jack knelt before her, holding out the ring.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Christina asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Jack smiled, trying to hide his nervousness, and took a deep breath before saying, "Christina, will you accept this ring and marry me?"

Christina was taken aback by Jack's sudden proposal. She paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the moment and considering the enormity of Jack's question. She felt the sand between her toes, and the warm breeze on her skin. She was lost in thought for what felt like an eternity.

"Jack, you surprised me. I don't know what to say," Christina finally said, her voice soft and thoughtful. "I need some time to think about it. It's a big decision, and I don't want to rush into it."

Jack was surprised by Christina's hesitation, but he understood her need to take her time. He nodded slowly, feeling a little disappointed. "Of course, take all the time you need. It's a big decision, and I want you to be sure about it."

Christina smiled gratefully at Jack's understanding and asked to be excused. "Can I go home now, Jack? I need some time alone to think about it."

Jack nodded and took Christina's hand, feeling a mix of emotions. "Sure, take all the time you need. I'll be here whenever you're ready."

*******

The next day, Jack stepped into the workshop, the familiar sound of saws and sanders filling his ears. The acrid scent of sawdust mixed with the tang of freshly cut wood wafted through the air. His gaze darted around the space, searching for Sancho. Suddenly, his friend emerged from behind a towering stack of lumber, his broad grin stretching from ear to ear.

"Well, when is the wedding, my friend?" Sancho bellowed, clapping Jack on the back.

Jack's face fell, his heart sinking like a stone. "I don't know, Christina asked for some time to think."

Sancho's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That's strange. I thought she would have agreed to your proposal without hesitation."

A deep sigh escaped Jack's lips. "Yes, I thought so too, just like you. But it's alright, maybe she's just surprised by my sudden decision."

Sancho nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps you're right, but don't worry, Jack. I'm sure she will come around in the end."

Jack nodded, but his mind was awash with anxiety.

*******

 A whole week had passed since he last saw Christina, and there had been no word from her. He longed to go to her and demand an answer, but he knew he couldn't do that. He didn't want to add more pressure to her already burdened mind, especially if she was still grappling with her decision.

As the day progressed, Jack found himself struggling to focus on his work. His mind kept wandering back to Christina and the verdict she had to deliver. He yearned to peer into her mind and know what she was thinking. Finally, as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, Jack gathered his tools and headed home, his heart heavy with worry. The warm hues of the setting sun painted the sky with a brilliant orange glow, yet Jack remained cloaked in darkness, unsure of what the future held for him and Christina.

It had been a long and quiet month since Christina and Jack's last meeting. The silence between them was as deafening as the sound of a pin dropping in an empty room. Jack couldn't comprehend why Christina had not responded to him, and it made him increasingly anxious. As he walked with Sancho to the store, he felt the weight of his nervousness building with each step. The sky was a deep shade of blue, and the scent of freshly cut grass filled the air.

Upon arrival, they were taken aback to find the store closed, its metal shutters rolled down, and its sign darkened. It was the first time it had ever been closed at this time, and Jack's heart began to race. "Sancho, we have to go to Christina's house," he said. "I feel like something strange is going on." The road to Christina's house was narrow, winding, and lined with trees that provided welcome shade from the blazing sun.

As they walked, Jack's anxiety intensified, and he could feel his palms growing sweaty. Finally, they arrived at Christina's house, and to his relief, everything seemed normal. The house was a lovely two-story building with a well-manicured lawn, blooming flowers, and a well-tended garden. Jack knocked on the door, and after a few moments, Frank, Christina's father, appeared.

"Jack, I really can't believe what's going on inside," Frank said. His face was lined with worry, and his voice was low and strained. "Christina has agreed to get married."

Jack's face lit up like a thousand suns. "Christina agreed to get married! Today is the happiest day of my life, are you listening? Sancho, Christina has agreed to get married."

Sancho's expression relaxed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great, I told you, my friend, that you don't have to worry. I was sure Cristina would eventually agree."

But Frank's expression turned puzzled. "Jack, Sancho, what makes you both happy? Are you really happy that Christina agreed to marry that person?"

Jack was confused. "What person are you talking about?"

Frank invited them inside to show them what was happening. When they entered the living room, Sancho shouted, "Lauri! What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to ask for Christina's hand," Lauri replied. The room smelled of fresh flowers.

"You want to marry Christina? Didn't I ever tell you she loves someone else?" Sancho asked.

"But she accepted to marry me," Lauri said.

Jack was in shock, and his hands began to shake. He couldn't believe what was happening in front of him. Sancho tried to get through to him. "Jack! Jack! Have you heard that? I can't believe what's happening now. How could Christina agree to marry this person?"

At that moment, Christina walked in wearing a beautiful dress. The dress was a brilliant shade of white, and it sparkled in the light. Jack went straight to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Christina dear, I'm so happy. You finally agreed to marry me."

Christina removed Jack's hands and said, "Marry you? Excuse me, Jack, I will not marry you. I will marry Lauri. I am sorry, Jack, but I thought well, Lauri is the right husband for me." 

Jack's heart was racing as he stood frozen, absorbing Christina's bewildering response. He felt his knees buckle beneath him, and he staggered slightly before regaining his balance. He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief, trying to make sense of what he had just heard. The silence that followed was deafening.

Suddenly, Jack's emotions erupted into a fiery rage, and his whole body shook with fury. He lunged toward Christina, his fists clenched tightly by his sides. "What do you mean by not marrying me? You can't marry anyone else, you're mine! Do you understand?!" he bellowed, his face contorted with anger.

Sancho reacted quickly, stepping in between Jack and Christina, hoping to defuse the situation. The air was thick with tension, and Sancho could feel the hostility radiating from Jack's body. He placed a reassuring hand on Jack's shoulder, hoping to calm him down. "Now, calm down, Jack. Let's talk about this," he said firmly, trying to be heard over Jack's enraged outburst.

Sancho turned to Christina, who was staring at Jack with a mix of confusion and fear. "You can't just go and marry someone else, especially when you've been with Jack for so long. Why are you doing this?" he demanded, his voice laced with concern.

As the conversation dragged on, Sancho realized that Jack was in a bad way and needed to get away from Christina. He gently guided his friend away from her house, but Jack shook him off and demanded to be left alone. Sancho watched helplessly as Jack disappeared into the night, his footsteps echoing down the deserted street.

An hour later, Jack found himself stumbling through the dark, sandy beach where he and Christina had shared so many memories. He collapsed onto the ground, the wet sand soaking through his clothes as he cried uncontrollably. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a soothing background to his anguish.

"How could Christina do this to me? I can't believe what's going on," Jack muttered to himself, his words muffled by his sobs. The smell of the salty ocean air mixed with the stench of his own tears, creating a pungent odor that filled his nostrils.

Meanwhile, Sancho had gone to check on Jack at his house, but when he found that Jack wasn't there, he panicked. He knocked on the door repeatedly, but there was no answer. Sancho's heart sank as he wondered where Jack could have gone. He hoped that his friend was safe and prayed that he would show up for work the next day.

*******

The next morning, Jack woke up to the sound of seagulls squawking and waves crashing against the shore. His head was throbbing, and his mouth was dry. The salty taste of seawater lingered on his lips, and the heat of the morning sun beat down on his face. Slowly, he opened his eyes and realized that he had fallen asleep on the beach. The coarse sand had found its way into his clothes, sticking to his skin, and his hair was matted with saltwater.

As he tried to recall the events of the previous night, a sudden wave of pain hit him like a ton of bricks, causing him to clutch his head in agony. His memories were hazy and fragmented, but he knew that he had to see Christina.

With a deep breath, he got up from his spot and shook the sand off his clothes. Each movement caused a sharp pain to course through his head, but he pushed through it, determined to see her. He stumbled toward the store where Christina worked, his steps unsteady.